Institute for State Effectiveness

The Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE) works to advance more responsive, accountable, and inclusive governance as the bedrock of better outcomes for citizens. ISE believes the root cause of poor development outcomes is a governance gap between the ability of governments to respond through their core functions of the state, the expectation and needs of people in that territory, and the ability of development partners to respond in support in equitable and effective ways. As its ultimate outcome, ISE aims to close this governance gap. Over the coming 18 months, this grant will renew support to ISE’s Africa program in particular. Through policies and institutions that are responsive to citizens, it will seek to support the capacities of African countries to deliver — and development partners to support — results that will enhance the accountability of core systems of governance across all levels. Tools and approaches will include applying practical country-level diagnostic, design, and implementation support; convening networks to deepen insights; contributing to education and training; and consolidating and advancing new tools and approaches — including the use of ISE’s flagship reform sequencing tracker. (Strategy: Evidence-Informed Policymaking)

The Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE) works to advance more responsive, accountable governance as the bedrock of better outcomes for citizens. Over the coming 18 months, ISE will continue to advance new solutions to help strengthen the relationships and accountabilities between citizens, states, and markets. ISE provides practical country-level design and implementation support to improve the core functions of government, brings together networks and organizations to advance thinking on issues of institutional reform, supports education and training for managers and leaders of country transitions, and provides advice and tool sets to governments and leaders supporting development. ISE is invited by the senior-most officials in countries (e.g., presidents’ and prime ministers’ offices) to work on governance, reform agendas, and building state capability and core state functions. (Strategy: Global Development and Population)

The Institute for State Effectiveness (ISE) brings policy and governance expertise to the process of state-building. Founded by former Afghan finance minister Ashraf Ghani, it has close relationships in Afghanistan and is a leading player in building the institutions needed to enable that nation's stability. The Government of Afghanistan has asked for support from the ISE team to support the definition of its near, medium, and long-term objectives and support consensus-building among Afghan and international actors on both these objectives and the mechanisms through which they are to be realized.